Allegations of human rights violations have surfaced against a downtown North Bay mental health drop-in centre after a volunteer reported that individuals with mobility challenges are unable to access the building
To the editor:
I am writing to share an urgent matter regarding the accessibility and subpar building code compliance, lack of safety protocols, and questionable distribution of funding to the Peer Connections centre, which is within the Canadian Mental Health Association building at 333 Main Street in North Bay.
I am requesting an urgent investigation into the human rights violations, specifically, the inaccessibility of its door, where patrons in wheelchairs or with walkers are unable to gain access due to the lack of a button to open the door, and the complete lack of a ramp or elevator. I have gathered photo evidence.
I verbally notified the staff back in November 2025, in writing two days ago, to Vic Fedeli’s office and the City of North Bay Building Code dept and am requesting the public pressure the organization to release how they are spending our Health Canada tax dollars here.
It is my understanding that Vic Fedeli’s office recently provided this organization with a portion of the additional $20 million in funding from Health Canada beyond their regular budget.
As a volunteer at their downtown location, I have observed several deeply concerning issues regarding their operations and the potential misuse of these resources.
First, I noticed that patrons are being charged $1.25 for a single snack cake from a vending machine. Given that a pack of six typically costs between $2 and $3, the centre appears to be generating a profit from the vulnerable population they are meant to serve.
Furthermore, I have serious concerns regarding their reported outreach services. I was informed that the organization operates a van at night to ensure no one is left freezing on the sidewalk; however, as a downtown resident, I have never seen this van in operation. Tonight, with temperatures at -30 degrees, I witnessed many individuals left on the street with no outreach presence visible. This lack of service forces 911 to manage these situations, diverting emergency resources from other priorities. With their portion of a $20 million budget increase, Peer Connections should have the capacity to operate a 24-hour warming centre and a consistent mobile rotation.
Third, I identified serious logistical and safety issues concerning how the centre tracks its patrons.
When I questioned the manager about his eligibility for significant funding despite having no system to track the number of people entering and exiting the facility, he could not provide an answer. This lack of data suggests potential over-reporting of service numbers and presents a severe safety risk, as there is no way to account for individuals during an emergency. While I recently observed staff beginning to use a clipboard after I raised these concerns, it is troubling that such a fundamental protocol was only implemented upon a volunteer’s insistence.
Lastly, during my most recent shift, I witnessed a man in a wheelchair who could not access the building because there was no ramp.
Despite the freezing temperatures, the staff refused to assist me in helping him navigate the steps to enter the facility. When the man simply asked for a pen, I found it extremely difficult to get the staff to provide one. In my opinion, it doesn’t constitute a “drop-in” centre if it’s inaccessible to those who need it the most. It is beyond shocking that despite their newly renovated location, no one thought the building should be up to code with ramps to make it accessible for those with mobility issues.
Of greater concern is the fact that when I brought it to the attention of every single staff member that a paralyzed man outside could not access the building, not a single one showed an ounce of care or effort to go and help the man stuck outside in his wheelchair!
It is unclear who these funds are serving if the most vulnerable individuals cannot even access the building, and the ones who can have to pay for the snacks within it.
I believe these observations justify a formal investigation into the management and oversight of the additional portion of the $20 million recently provided to this organization.
Best regards,
Melanie Demers
Special Education Specialist, Ontario College of Teachers #463038
North Bay